This article is sponsored by Schneider Electric.
Solar power is quickly becoming one of the most reliable forms of renewable energy production that offers durability and sustainability. However, for decades, the problem has revolved around two main issues: the cost of the technology and the cheap way to store energy.
However, costs are falling so dramatically that 46% of all new electrical capacity added to the grid by 2021 will come from solar, and according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), that trajectory is far from complete. slow. As the solar adoption trend indicates that cost issues are being addressed, the answer to the solar energy storage problem already exists: microgrids.
look back to move forward
Solar energy has a history of at least a century, and recent improvements in the past two decades have greatly increased its efficiency and affordability, making it competitive with fossil fuels.
By harnessing sunlight to generate photovoltaic (PV) power, organizations are moving energy systems and buildings toward a zero-carbon future. This energy conversion creates great opportunities for solar energy. When solar energy is produced and consumed in the same facility, it is a more sustainable solution, since there are no inefficiencies caused by large transmission lines.
However, the future of solar power only increases its utility with the addition of energy storage technology that allows power produced during the day to be used later. As the pace of solar adoption continues to increase, energy storage costs are falling and capacities are increasing, opening up more opportunities for small grids. The combination of local solar power generation and flexible batteries offers a new approach to power supply via microgrids.
Take advantage of solar energy
Microgrids are flexible and reliable local power systems that can use solar energy as a vital resource when recovering from power outages caused by hurricanes or natural disasters. Microgrids are essential for projects and infrastructures that depend on solar energy; Together they supply power whenever the infrastructure needs it. Using solar power, battery storage, and any other available power sources like wind or biogas, microgrids help people and critical facilities like hospitals weather storms efficiently and reliably.
Small solar grids are a big step towards a sustainable future and sustainable energy systems, and their implementation reduces future energy costs and also reduces carbon emissions. Because microgrids are scalable and modular, they meet individual, large-scale, and mission-critical requirements, allowing energy consumers such as commercial and industrial buildings or college campuses to take a more proactive, translational, and Flexible to meet your energy needs. .
Defining the future of energy
One of the biggest new use cases for mini solar grids is their ability to support another stable grid. With the increasing adoption of variable energy sources (such as solar and wind), there is a growing need to produce energy as close to the point of consumption as possible, providing flexibility in how this energy is used.
The combination of investments in solar, batteries and microgrids creates the foundation for a cleaner and more sustainable future. In the United States, 2020 and 2021 were the two most important years for local commercial solar, according to SEIA. Widespread adoption is key to a positive collective environmental impact, and as solar use grows, the number of mini-grid installations must increase.
In addition to harnessing the power of solar energy, microgrids offer a technological link between its distribution and collection. The introduction of mini-grids in buildings and homes is the next natural evolution of the use of solar energy. The energy future is more local, resilient and resilient, offering the opportunity to make meaningful change and deal with extreme conditions. With the power of microgrids, we know what needs to be done to prepare for a more sustainable future.
